Title of article :
Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis; A Seroepidemiological Survey in Jiroft District, Southern Kerman Province, Southeastern Iran in 2015
Author/Authors :
ABBASZADEH AFSHAR, Mohammad Javad Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , SHARIFI, Iraj Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases - Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran , BAMOROVAT, Mehdi Leishmaniasis Research Center - School of Medicine - Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran , MOHEBALI, Mehdi Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI) - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , BAHREINI, Mohammad Saleh Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , NADERI, Afsaneh Iranian Social Security Organization, Jiroft, Kerman, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Domestic dogs have been implicated as the main reservoir host
of Mediterranean type of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) that is endemic in some
parts of Iran. This study was performed about role of dogs in canine VL (CVL)
epidemiology in Jiroft District, south of Kerman Province, southeastern Iran.
Methods: Totally, 165 dogs including 100 stray and 65 sheepdogs were randomly
selected. After complete clinical examination blood sample was taken
from each dog. All the collected samples were examined following the serum
separation by direct agglutination test (DAT) for detection of anti-Leishmania
infantum antibodies. The titers of ≥1:320 were defined as positive.
Results: Overall, of 165 serum samples, 13 samples (7.9%) were positive by
DAT at titers of ≥1:320. The seroprevalence was 11% among the stray dogs
and 3% among the sheepdogs. There was no significant difference between
stray and sheepdogs in CVL infection. The highest seroprevalence rate (14.3%)
was found in seven-year old dogs.
Conclusion: The present finding indicates the role of stray and sheepdogs in
CVL epidemiology in this area. Further investigations are needed to evaluate
the status of VL infection in human subjects in this area.
